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Speaking to Zougla.gr and journalist Christos Mazanis, the president of the Hellenic Institute for Strategic Studies, Lieutenant General (retd.), Ioannis Baltzoi, expressed the view that "Turkey at this stage is trapped and is in a very difficult position due to its geopolitical choices."

It is recalled that the Lieutenant General served, among other things, as an EU observer during the Bosnian war, assistant to the President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos and Defense Attaché at the Greek embassy in Tel Aviv.

As he pointed out, "Erdogan dug his own hole and is in danger of falling into it", referring to the latest developments concerning the deterioration of the country's relations with Israel and the new Trump administration.

At the same time, he argued that "the Greek Armed Forces should prepare for a new form of threat in the future which will come from drones".

The president of ELISME talks, among other things, about the next day of Turkey's relations with Israel and the USA, about the changes in the Greek Armed Forces, about the evolution of the Russo-Ukrainian war, but also about Iran's reaction.

"Turkey and Israel had an excellent military and commercial alliance. In fact, it was the first Muslim country to recognize Israel in 1948 as an independent state, while Greece in 1991. Israel's relations until 2010 were excellent. They also had a strategic alliance with military exercises. Of course, all this ended on May 30, 2010 with the incident of Mavi Marmara with the intention of Turkey to break the blockade of Gaza to help the Palestinians", he says.

Why now has Erdogan declared that he is cutting all his ties with Israel?

To this question the general answers: "Erdogan says he is cutting ties because he is afraid. And it's not just Israel. It is also Trump's new Secretary of Defense who has expressed a negative view of Turkey. Also Lt. Col. Tulsi Gabbard. Her position is really very important because she is in charge of all US security services. She is an all-powerful lady who accuses Turkey of dealing and supporting terrorists. He has called Erdogan a dictator and that he does not belong in the US alliance. As far as Israel is concerned, in this period the old views on the redrawing of borders in the Middle East, the so-called "remapping", have returned. I remind you that these have started since 2003 with a map showing the greater Kurdistan. For Turkey there is a plan for the formation of Kurdistan not within the country but in Iraq and Northern Syria. The Turks take all this into account because Israel supports the Kurdish issue, supports the creation of a Kurdish state. Erdoğan is therefore very afraid and that is why he is making such statements and actions. If a Kurdish state is created without touching Turkey, this is a nightmare, because inside Turkey there are 25 million Kurds. However, the facts show that something like this is being prepared and the fact that Kurdish has now returned shows that conditions will be created in the Middle East that will change the status quo. Isn't it strange that the Arab states with this massacre taking place in Gaza do not react, do not shout? Shouldn't there be demonstrations in these states?"

Is there a chance for Turkey to create a military distraction?

"I have the impression that Erdogan tried to play a role in the Middle East and dug his own hole and will fall into it. To create a distraction with war elsewhere there is a possibility but I see it difficult, it cannot. Turkey has not waged any war against any organized state with an organized army. But militarily it does not have the ability to oppose Israel. Israel is determined and let's not forget that it has the "doctrine of Samson". In general, this means that if it is in danger, it can use nukes. He is not afraid of anything," he points out.

"Changes in the Armed Forces are in the right direction"

Asked about the changes in the Armed Forces announced by the Minister of National Defense, Nikos Dendias, he puts himself as follows:

"I think they are moving in the right direction if implemented. Just as they are centralized all together. The housing of the camps is correct. We don't need to have camps everywhere. Those with the many camps were done for party reasons. Regarding the drones we should have as well as the anti-drone systems, I remind you that the ongoing wars have made us review all the doctrines and trainings we have had as a country until now. There cannot currently be a military operating without drones. So yes, anti-drone systems should be installed in our camps. It is necessary and imperative and we must do it as quickly as we can. But the anti-aircraft dome that is being planned is also something positive. Anything we make for defense and security is essential."

"The wars around us show us that we need our own defense industry"

Asked about the military technology developed by the domestic defense industry and whether it could be useful in the future, the general is clear: "Having worked in the Greek defense industry, I am in favor of the development and purchase of weapon systems by our domestic military and defense industry. The war in Ukraine, but in Israel, showed us that we must have the possibility to replenish our ammunition for the weapon systems. The new form of war shows us this. We must move in this direction."

"In foreign policy, secret diplomacy is not always good"

Asked to comment on the resignation of the political director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Roussos Koundouros, Ioannis Baltzoi puts himself as follows:

"It really worried me a lot. What we suspected was sometimes happening in our foreign policy confirmed some concerns. In my opinion, secret and personal diplomacy has no relevance in a modern state."

Do you think that the Greek-Turkish dialogue is on the right track at the moment?

"No, he is not. They tell us one thing and the Turks say another. We are told that we are discussing the issue of the continental shelf and the EEZ and the other side puts ten issues on the table. Who should I believe? The government of my country or the government of Turkey?"

About the Russo-Ukrainian war

As the president of ELISME argued, "this war is preordained. The Ukrainians have been completely defeated, the West has also been defeated, NATO has been defeated. It seems that Zelensky is starting to worry about how he will be saved. Of course, these are unpleasant for a country that has been completely destroyed and after the end of the war will have also lost territories. The war will end with Trump. But we will not see the end under Biden because the hawks want the conflict to continue. I believe that by 2025 the issue of Ukraine will be resolved with a peace which will ultimately be to the detriment of the Ukrainians."

About the Iran-Israel conflict

"There is the thought that Iran does not want to continue the conflict. I have visited Iran with the former president of the Republic. In Iran I saw that the leaders are rational. Iran is currently in a very difficult position. Hamas and Hezbollah are beginning to disappear. So he doesn't have the power he had before for his proxies to work. Israel's blow was also very strong. It has destroyed his anti-aircraft systems. He has destroyed his rocket factory. It has also destroyed important military installations. It has largely idled it. Iran will have to think very hard about whether to respond. Possibly go into a negotiation situation. I would be surprised if at this stage Iran would strike. I give 60% that he won't answer. But let's not forget the order that Netanyahu has received from Trump on this issue. He told him the phrase "do what you have to do". In other words, he has given him the green light to do what he has planned", he concludes.